The 21-year-old faces jail for deliberately preying on young girls in Darwen’s Whitehall Park between 2012 and 2013.

Prosecution lawyer, Adam Lodge, said Brine targeted the girls who were aged 12, 13 and 15 at the time.

He said: “Mr Brine was deliberately preying on young girls in the park, a sexual predator targeting young girls in the community. One of his victims also began to self harm when she found out he had been involved with other young girls.”

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The court was told that Brine was in a relationship for two months with one of his victims, and had full sex with her. When the relationship was over, Brine continued to text message his victim, listing the sexual activities he wanted to do with her.

Defence lawyer, James Heywoth, said that Brine has no previous convictions, and during his time in custody, had time to reflect on his behaviour.

He said: “Benjamin is not a predatory paedophile, he was in a relationship with one of the girls and said he loved her, he now realises that he should have been the person to say no.

“At the time he was 18 and 19, and he now has great regret to his behaviour and has had time to reflect whilst in custody.

“This young man found himself hanging around with young people and will now have to bear the consequences. He has done everything he can do to recognise what he has done wrong.”

Judge Beverly Lunt, told Brine he will be sentenced on March 6, at Burnley Crown Court.

She said: “It is a very difficult situation, it is a strain on you and on a lot of other people. You know you will be going to prison, and I now have to decide what the length is.”